WO2018091877A1

WO2018091877A1 - Pairing arrangement and method

Info

Publication number: WO2018091877A1
Application number: PCT/GB2017/053421
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alex MATTOS; Rob Holmes
Original assignee: I6 Group Limited
Priority date: 2016-11-15
Filing date: 2017-11-14
Publication date: 2018-05-24
Also published as: GB2558406A; GB201718798D0

Abstract

A pairing method is described comprising selecting a first device 10 from a first pool of similar devices (10, 10'), selecting a second device (12) from a second pool of similar devices (12, 12'), the devices (10, 10') of the first pool being of a different type of device to the devices (12, 12') of the second pool, the first device (10) being able to communicate with a control unit (14) on which pairing information associated with at least the second device (12) and the devices (12') of the second pool is stored, using the first device (10) to scan for the presence of other devices within communications range thereof, selecting the second device (12) from the devices located by the scanning process, obtaining pairing information relating to the second device (12) from the control unit (14), and using the obtained pairing information to pair the first device (10) to the second device (12). A pairing arrangement for use in the method is also described.

Description

PAIRING ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD

This invention relates to a pairing arrangement, and in particular to an arrangement in which a plurality of electronic devices which are adapted to communicate with one another via wireless communications links can be selectively paired to one another in a simple and convenient manner. It also relates to a method whereby such pairing may be achieved. Whilst suitable for use in a wide range of applications, one application in which the invention may be employed is in pairing equipment used by an aircraft fuelling operator.

A number of electronic devices are available which are arranged, in use, to pair with another electronic device so as to allow communication therebetween. By way of example, a number of smart mobile telephone devices and tablet computers and the associated peripherals such as headsets and other devices are arranged to communicate with one another via Bluetooth ( TM) or the like low power short wave radio transmissions. Where, for example, a headset is paired to a mobile telephone device, the arrangement typically operates in such a manner that the headset only receives signals from the mobile telephone device with which it is paired, and the mobile telephone device ignores signals from devices other than the headset or other device(s) with which it is paired. Once devices have been paired with one another, the pairing is typically automatically re-established when the devices are powered up after having been switched off, or when the devices come back into close proximity with one another after having been spaced apart from one another by a sufficiently large distance that the signals transmitted by one of the devices cannot be properly received by another of the devices.

Whilst arrangements of this type operate effectively under domestic conditions in which a user may only wish to pair a few devices with one another, there are circumstances in which it may be desired to pair a device with one from a number of other devices. In such circumstances, such a pairing arrangement is inconvenient.

By way of example, where employees make use of pieces of equipment that pair with one another in order to undertake certain tasks, it may be the case that at the commencement of a shift, each employee is issued with, for example, a tablet computer device and a headset. The tablet computer device may be selected at random from a stock of such devices. Likewise, the headset may be selected at random. In such an arrangement, the tablet computer may have been paired with a different headset during a previous shift, and the headset may similarly have been paired with a different one of the tablet computer devices. There is a need, in such circumstances, to be able to establish and maintain pairing between each tablet computer and the associated headset, ensuring reliable communication therebetween whilst avoiding cross- communications between devices issued to others of the employees. Furthermore, there is a need for the pairing of the devices to be established in a simple and convenient manner, without the user requiring specific information in order to achieve such pairing.

US2014/0073249 describes an arrangement in which a number of headsets may be paired with one another to allow voice communication to take place between a number of individuals, each wearing a respective one of the headsets.

It is an object of the invention to provide a pairing arrangement in which at least some of the disadvantages associated with known arrangements are overcome or are of reduced effect.

According to the present invention there is provided a pairing method comprising selecting a first device from a first pool of similar devices, selecting a second device from a second pool of similar devices, the devices of the first pool being of a different type of device to the devices of the second pool, the first device being able to communicate with a control unit on which pairing information associated with at least the second device and the devices of the second pool is stored, using the first device to scan for the presence of other devices within communications range thereof, selecting the second device from the devices located by the scanning process, obtaining pairing information relating to the second device from the control unit, and using the obtained pairing information to pair the first device to the second device.

The invention further relates to a pairing arrangement comprising a first device selected from a first pool of similar devices, a second device selected from a second pool of similar devices, the devices of the first pool being of a different type of device to the devices of the second pool, the arrangement further comprising a control unit on which is stored pairing information associated with at least the second device and the devices of the second pool, and a communications link by which stored pairing information can be supplied from the control unit to the first device.

The invention will further be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, Figure 1, which is a diagrammatic illustration showing a pairing arrangement in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1 illustrates a plurality of electronic devices 10, 10', 12, 12' each of which incorporates Bluetooth or similar communications technology to permit communication with others of the devices 10, 10', 12, 12' located in the vicinity thereof via a low power short wave radio communications link. Bluetooth and the like communications technology is well known and so will not be described herein in further detail save as is required to understand particular aspects of the invention.

The electronic devices 10, 10', 12, 12' take the form of a first pool of devices in the form of a plurality of handheld computer devices 10, 10', each of which is able to undertake communications with a remote location using the mobile telephone communications network, and a second pool of devices in the form of a plurality of headsets 12, 12'. The handheld computer devices 10, 10' conveniently take the form of tablet computers. However, they may take other forms, and could comprise, for example, smart phones or the like. The computer devices 10, 10' are each able to communicate via the mobile telephone communications network (denoted generally by arrows 16 in Figure 1) with a control unit 14. In the arrangement illustrated, the headsets 12, 12' are unable to communicate directly with the control unit 14. However, arrangements are possible in which such communication is possible.

The control unit 14 may take a range of forms. In the embodiment shown it takes the form of a web- or cloud- based application and associated data. However, this need not always be the case and it could take other forms or be located in other locations. Conveniently, a copy of the application and data or an arrangement with similar functionality is also stored on the electronic computer devices 10, 10' so that when off-line, the required data can still be accessed to allow pairing to be established as described below. In such an arrangement, regular updating may be required to ensure that the pairing technique can continue to operate efficiently as and when additional devices are added to the pool of available equipment.

The control unit 14 is arranged to store pairing information associated with each of the headset devices 12, 12' which information may be employed, in use, by the computer devices 10, 10' to pair, or establish low power wireless communications links between, selected ones of the computer devices 10, 10' and the headsets 12, 12' as required.

In use, where a user is provided with a computer device 10 and a headset 12 from a first pool of computer devices 10, 10' which are all similar to one another, and from a second pool of headsets 12, 12' which are all similar to one another, and wishes to pair these two devices 10, 12 to one another, the computer device 10 and the headset 12 are switched on. The headset 12 will broadcast a signal indicating that it is available for pairing. The computer device 10 will undertake a scan across a range of radio frequencies to look for devices that are available to be paired with. Provided that the computer device 10 and headset 12 are within communications range of one another, the list of devices available for pairing with the computer device 10 will include the headset 12. Potentially, the list of devices may include a number of other devices, including others of the headsets 12', and the list may include devices with which the user does not have permission to pair the computer device, such as equipment owned and operated by third parties.

Conventionally, at this point in the pairing procedure, the user would select from the list a device to pair the computer device with, and identification numbers or the like would need to be input into one or other, or both, of the devices, before pairing thereof can be completed.

In accordance with the invention, having obtained a list of devices that are available for pairing, the computer device 10 obtains pairing information for at least one of the devices on the list from the control unit 14 via the mobile telephone communications network 16. Having obtained the pairing information from the control unit 14, the pairing procedure between the computer device 10 and the headset 12 can be completed using the pairing information obtained from the control unit 14 and without requiring the inputting of any identification numbers or the like. The pairing information stored on the control unit 14 will typically comprise, for each available device, the MAC address of the device and the associated pairing identification code. Accordingly, the computer device 10 requests from the control unit 14 the pairing identification code associated with the MAC address of the device with which pairing is to be undertaken. Once the pairing identification code has been obtained from the control unit 14, pairing may be completed using the MAC address and the obtained code. It will be appreciated that the pairing operation may be undertaken without the need for significant user input. Indeed, the arrangement described hereinbefore allows pairing to be undertaken without user input. However, rather than being undertaken completely automatically, the pairing operation may, if desired, include steps requiring input from the user, for example to select which headset 12 to pair with if more than one headset 12 is within communications range of the computer device 10 and is available for pairing therewith.

If, on a subsequent occasion, the user is issued with a different one of the computer devices 10 and/or a different one of the headsets 12, pairing therebetween can be established using the same procedure.

Preferably, where operating fully automatically, where there are more than one headset 12 within communications range of the computer device 10, the headset 12 with which the computer device 10 becomes paired is the headset 12 from which the computer device 10 receives the strongest communications signal. This is likely to be the headset 12 that is physically closest to the computer device 10 (although factors such as battery charge, etc, may impact upon this). By automatically selecting which devices to pair, user input is further reduced.

It will be appreciated that, once paired, a communications link 18 is established between the computer device 10 and the headset 12 through which they may communicate reliably without risk of cross-communication with other devices whilst the computer device 10 and headset 12 remain within communications range of one another. If the computer device 10 and headset 12 become separated from one another by a distance sufficient that signals transmitted from one of the devices are no longer properly received by the other of the devices, then whilst communications will be interrupted when the devices are out of range of one another, communications therebetween will automatically become re-established when they move back within range of one another as the devices will automatically re-pair with one another.

After use, the headset 12 and computer device 10 are un-paired from one another ready for pairing, either with each other or with others of the devices, when issued to a subsequent user using the technique outlined hereinbefore.

Where new devices are added to the pool all that is required is that the pairing information associated therewith is added to the information stored on the control unit 14. Once the pairing information has been so stored, the new devices may be paired, as required, to others of the devices from the pool. Pairing with new devices thus uses the same method as pairing with an existing device.

Whilst the description hereinbefore relates to the pairing of a computer device 10 from a pool of computer devices with a headset 12 from a pool of headsets, it will be appreciated that the invention is not restricted in this regard. By way of example, instead of (or as well as) pairing a computer device to a headset, another form of peripheral device may be paired to the computer device. The pairing operation may be repeated, if desired, to allow pairing of the computer device 10 both to the headset 12 and to a third device selected from a third pool of similar devices.

Although the use of the mobile telephone communications network is envisaged as a convenient communications technique by which the computer device 10 can obtain the pairing information from the control unit 14, it will be appreciated that this need not always be the case. Other wireless communications techniques including WIFI or the like may be used. Indeed, in some circumstances, a wired connection may be provided, at least temporarily, and a network may be used to allow the transfer of the pairing information to the device.

It will be appreciated that the invention may be employed in a number of applications. By way of example, it is envisaged that it may be employed in airports where aircraft fuelling operators or other ground staff may be issued, at the beginning of a shift, with a computer device and with a headset, the devices being used in conjunction with one another to supply the fuelling operator with instructions and permit convenient communications between the fuelling operator, controllers responsible for controlling fuelling operations, other ground staff and with aircraft crew. In addition, the fuelling operator may be allocated other refuelling equipment from a respective pool or pools of equipment, the equipment comprising, for example, a fuel flow meter and/or a printer capable of being paired with the computer device 10, pairing being undertaken in substantially the fashion set out hereinbefore.

The nature of the communications undertaken between the various devices may depend upon the functions thereof. By way of example, the pairing of the headset 12 to the computer device 10 may allow voice communications and/or data communications therebetween. The pairing of the computer device 10 to a flow meter or printer will typically take the form of a serial data communications link.

In such an application it is envisaged that at the commencement of a shift, the fuelling operator is provided with a computer device 10, for example in the form of a tablet computer, and a headset 12, each being selected at random from a respective pool of devices, and he will be allocated (again at random) a fuelling vehicle on which is mounted a fuel flow meter and a printer. The operator will undertake a log-in procedure on the computer device 10 and will input identification information to identify the vehicle that has been allocated to him. The pairing technique described hereinbefore will be used to establish pairing between the computer device 10 and the headset 12, and to establish pairing between the computer device 10 and the fuel flow meter and printer located upon the vehicle allocated to him. These pairing operations may be fully automated if desired, or alternatively may require some user input to confirm that the correct devices have been paired with one another. Where fully automated, the user is not required to input any PIN numbers or other identifiers as part of the pairing operation, and so the pairing operation may be totally transparent to him.

As the computer device 10 is able to communicate using the mobile telephone communications network, WIFI or in another manner with the control unit 14, the control unit 14 may be able to remotely monitor the connections between the computer device 10 and the headset 12 and/or other devices, enabling appropriate remedial action to be taken in the event that communications therebetween are interrupted. By way of example, radio communications may be used to alert the operator in the event that Bluetooth communications are lost between the headset 12 and the computer device 10. As described hereinbefore, if Bluetooth communications are lost through the computer device 10 and headset 12 or other device being out of communications range with one another, they conveniently are arranged to automatically re-establish communication with one another once back within range. Accordingly, if the fuelling operator temporarily moves away from his vehicle by a distance such that communications are lost, for example when fitting hoses or the like to an aircraft, communications will be established when he returns to a position close to the vehicle.

Although the description hereinbefore makes reference to the use of a vehicle fitted with a fuel flow meter, it will be appreciated that the invention is also applicable to applications in which fuel is delivered using a fixed fuel delivery device.

It will be appreciated that this represents just one example of an environment in which the invention may be employed, and the invention may be used in a number of other applications.

Whilst a specific embodiment of the invention is described hereinbefore, it will be appreciated that a wide range of modifications or alterations may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A pairing method comprising selecting a first device from a first pool of similar devices, selecting a second device from a second pool of similar devices, the devices of the first pool being of a different type of device to the devices of the second pool, the first device being able to communicate with a control unit on which pairing information associated with at least the second device and the devices of the second pool is stored, using the first device to scan for the presence of other devices within communications range thereof, selecting the second device from the devices located by the scanning process, obtaining pairing information relating to the second device from the control unit, and using the obtained pairing information to pair the first device to the second device.

2. A method according to Claim 1, wherein the pairing information is transmitted from the control unit to the first device via a communications link.

3. A method according to Claim 2, wherein the communications link is mobile telephone communications network based.

4. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the selection of the second device from the devices located by the scanning process is undertaken automatically.

5. A method according to Claim 4, wherein the selection of the second device from the devices located by the scanning process is undertaken by identifying the device with the strongest communications signal strength.

6. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first device comprises a computer device.

7. A method according to Claim 6 wherein the computer device comprises a tablet computer device.

8. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the second device comprises a headset.

9. A method according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising selecting at least a third device from at least a third pool, selecting the third device from a list of devices located by the scanning process, obtaining pairing information relating to the third device from the control unit, and using the obtained pairing information to pair the first device to the third device.

10. A method according to Claim 9, wherein the third device comprises at least one of a flow meter and a printer.

11. A pairing arrangement comprising a first device selected from a first pool of similar devices, a second device selected from a second pool of similar devices, the devices of the first pool being of a different type of device to the devices of the second pool, the arrangement further comprising a control unit on which is stored pairing information associated with at least the second device and the devices of the second pool, and a communications link by which stored pairing information can be supplied from the control unit to the first device.